Draft-rigging



"flu. 6l8,4|7. Patented lan. 3l, I899.

J. J. JONES. DRAFT BIGGING. {A'pplication filed m 9, 1898.)

(No Model.)

WITNESSES INVENTOR NITE STATES Prion.

JOSHUA J. JONES, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

DRAFT-RIGGING.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent N 0. 618,417, dated January31, 1899. Application filed May 9', 1898. Serial No. 680,100. on model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSHUA J. JoNEs, of Pittsburg, in the county ofAllegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Draft-Riggings, of which the following is afull, clear,and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is alongitudinal vertical section of my improved draft-rigging in position.Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a verticalcross-section on the line III III of Fig. 2, and Fig. at is a sectionalend elevation showing another form of my invention.

My invention relates to that class of draftriggin gs wherein cushioningdevices containing wedge-shaped or inclined faces are combined withsprings, so as to absorb the shocks and strains to which therigging issubjected; and it consists in an improved construction and arrangementof the wedges and springs whereby the device may be applied to existingcars without material alteration and wherein a simple and effectiveconstruction is afforded by locating the springs within a movable casingor transverse strap.

In the drawings, 2 2 represent the drafttimbers, and 3 the flooring ofthe car. The draft-timbers are lined by metal plates 4 4, spaced apartby suitable sleeves 5, through which extend the transversesecuring-bolts 6.

In the form of Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the plates 4 are preferably spreadapart slightly, and their lower portions are slotted and bent outwardlyto form supports 7 7, which are carried by the vertical through-bolts SS.

9 is the draw-bar, having at its rear end the yoke 10, which liesbetween the outwardly spread portions of the plates 4. Through this yokeextends the transverse casing or strap 11, within which are containedthe four spiral springs 12. These springs bear against the ends of thecasing and against a pair of blocks 13 13, which normally rest incontact with each other and are provided with inclined end faces engagedby the wedges 14. Guide-plates 15 are provided between the springs andthe blocks, these plates having suitable bosses to enter the springs andflanges surrounding the outer edges of the blocks. The plates arenotched or offset to form guides, as shown at 16 in Fig. 1. The wedges14 rest loosely within the yoke and are held in place by their inclinedfaces and the ends of the yoke and the slot-walls of the draft-irons.

.In the operation of the device when a compressive pressure is exertedupon the drawbar the forward wedge 14 will be driven back and cause theblocks 13 to move outwardly and rearwardly against the action of thesprings 12, the spring-casing moving back with the blocks. As theinclines upon both Wedges are of the same angle, the blocks will moveoutwardly in parallel lines and the blow thus be absorbed. When atensile strain is brought upon the draw-bar, the rear wedge will bedrawn forward, moving the blocks 13 forwardly and outwardly, thespring-casing moving forwardly, giving the same action as before.

In Fig. 4 I show a form wherein the pressure is absorbed on all foursides of the drawbar. In this form the front and rear wedge are in theform of frustums of pyramids and are connected by a central tension-rod17. The four inclined faces of each wedge are contacted with by theoutwardly-movable blocks 18, which are of similar shape, the entiresystem of blocks forming practically a cube divided on diagonal planes.Each block 13 is normally forced forward by springs 19, contained withina four-lobed casing 20, which rests upon the supports 7 and travelsthereon the same as in the formof Figs. 1, 2, and 3. In this form it isevident-that when the drawbar is moved in either direction the blocks 18will be moved outwardly and forwardly or rearwardly, compressing thesprings on the four sides, the spring-casing traveling as be fore.

The advantages of my invention will be ap parent to those skilled in theart. The device may be applied to ordinary forms of cars. It is simpleand of few parts and not liable to get out of order. The parts areeasily accessible, and the use of the traveling or movable casing forthe springs makes the action uniform and causes the blocks to travelout-ward in parallel lines.

Many variations may be made in the form and arrangement of the wedgesand the springs without departing from my invention, since I claim 1. Ina draft-rigging, the combination with a draw-bar, of oppositely-locatedwedges actuated thereby, blocks having inclined faces contacting withthe wedges and movable toward and from each other and longitudinally,and a traveling casin g having springs bearing upon the blocks;substantially as described.

2. The combination with a longitudinallymovable bar having a yokecontaining oppositely-located wedges, of a spring-casing extendingtransversely through the yoke and containing spring-pressed blockshaving inclined faces contacting with the wedges; substantially asdescribed.

In a draft-rigging, the combination with a draw-bar, ofoppositely-located wedges connected thereto, blocks having inclinedfaces bearing upon the wedges and movable toward and from each other andlongitudinally, and a traveling casing containing spiral springs bearingupon the blocks; substantially as described.

t. In a draft-rigging, the combination with vertical draft-irons havinghorizontal bearings, of a spring-casing movable along the bearings andcontaining spring pressed blocks with inclined faces, said blocks beingmovable toward and from each other and 1011- gitudinally, and wedgesconnected with the draw-bar and contacting with the inclined faces ofthe blocks; substantially as described.

5. In a draft-rigging, the combination with a draw-bar, ofpyramidal-shaped wedges connected thereto, spring-pressed blocks bearingupon the difierent faces of the wedges, and a movable casin g havingsprings bearing upon the blocks; substantially as described.

6. In a draft-rigging, the combination with a draw-bar, ofoppositely-located wedges actuated thereby, and spring-pressed blockshaving inclined faces contacting with the wedges, said blocks beingmovable toward and from each other and longitudinally; substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JOSHUA J. JONES. \Vitnesses:

G. I. HOLDsHIP, G. B. BLEMMING.

